Legal Friendship Boundaries

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I’m friends with someone but I’m a little worried about our age difference. I’m * and live in USA but she’s *. We never do anything inappropriate.
Hello ****, in the USA, every state has different laws regarding age of consent and friendships. It's important to:
- Keep your relationship strictly platonic
- Avoid situations that could be misconstrued
- Check your state's specific laws on age of consent and relationships.
There’s nothing sexual involved I’m not even talking about relationships.
Hello ****, it's great you're being mindful. In general:
- It's legal to be friends, regardless of age difference
- Avoid actions that could be interpreted as grooming
- Consult local laws if you're concerned about specific activities.
Can you tell me which state you're in for more specific information?
Mississippi
Hello ****, in Mississippi:
- It's legal to be friends with someone younger as long as the relationship remains appropriate and platonic.
- Any suspicious activities may be subject to investigation under child protection laws.
- Consult Mississippi Code § *-*-* for more information.
What suspicious activity?
Suspicious activities could include:
- Inappropriate communication or content sharing
- Encouraging illegal activities
- Manipulative behavior or attempts to isolate the minor
- Paying unusual attention to the minor
These could be seen as grooming, which is illegal under Mississippi Code § *-*-*.
Paying unusual attention? You mean if I follow them on social media and like their posts a lot that’s a crime?
No, simply following and liking posts on social media isn't a crime. However, constantly commenting, sending numerous direct messages, or attempting to control their social interactions could be seen as suspicious and potentially fall under grooming. Remember, it's about the intent and the context.
Well I’ve never tried to groom anyone whenever I try talking to them.
That's good to hear, ****. It's important to maintain respectful and appropriate boundaries in your interactions, especially with minors. Keep in mind that your intentions should always be clear and harmless. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
I mean I have tried to message them a lot but not to try to sexually abuse them. I just like having appropriate conversations with them.
Messaging frequently is fine as long as the content is appropriate and respectful. Ensure that the minor and their guardians are comfortable. Remember, maintaining clear boundaries is crucial in such situations.
And I do try to ask them if something is wrong if I’m making them uncomfortable so I can stop any discomfort I may be causing.
That's a great approach, ****. Open communication and respect for their comfort levels are very important. Keep these conversations appropriate, respectful, and within boundaries. Continue being mindful of your actions and intentions.
I have gotten mad at times too, but again never for the intention of inappropriate behavior towards them.
It's natural to feel a range of emotions, ****. However, it's important to handle anger appropriately. How do you usually express your anger towards them?
Well at first I keep it to myself or I tell them in a kind and calm matter about why I’m feeling this way. The only times I’ve really let it out is when the minor actually does something messed up to me.
That's understandable, ****. Remember, it's crucial to communicate in a respectful and non-threatening manner, especially with minors. If a situation escalates, it might be best to seek advice from an adult or professional. This ensures everyone's safety and comfort.
One time I tried to get a minor banned from social media because they kept saying horrible things to me in provoking ways and purposely tried to hurt me emotionally. This was only with one person though, it would take a lot to put me at such a level.
****, it seems like you had a tough experience. However, it's important to handle such situations appropriately. Did you report those incidents to the social media platform or to any responsible adult? Remember, it's crucial not to retaliate in kind.
I did it on social media, which is against their guidelines so I don’t see any wrong in that since they disallow that kind of behavior.
That's the right approach, ****. Reporting inappropriate behavior on social media is perfectly acceptable and encouraged. Always remember to maintain a respectful and appropriate interaction. If you ever feel uncomfortable, you can reach out to a trusted adult or authorities.
Again this was once from a minor’s behavior
It's understandable, ****. It's important to remember that online behavior, especially from minors, can sometimes be challenging. You handled it appropriately by reporting it to the social media platform. Always ensure to maintain respectful and suitable interactions, both online and offline.
I eventually got off social media not long after that because I couldn’t deal with the mistreatment online anymore.
That sounds like a tough experience, ****. It's important to take care of your emotional well-being. If you ever return to social media, remember to set boundaries and report any abusive behavior. Offline or online, always interact appropriately and respectfully.
So anyway back to the first topic, I’m * and I’m friends with a * but we are not in a relationship and don’t do anything inappropriate. Are we good?
Yes, ****, it's legal to be friends with someone who's *, as long as the relationship remains platonic and appropriate. Continue to respect boundaries, communicate openly, and follow the guidance provided earlier.